(The following was written on the occasion of the Youth Recognition Dinner at the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo, to honor graduates in and around the Toledo area)

It is difficult to believe that mashaallah eighteen years have elapsed since that thick-haired little girl lay in the nursery full of bald, fat boys. She ate like a bird and slept little too, awakening Nanna in the middle of the night so she could take her downstairs to dance to VH1. Our Atiya pioneered everything and prepared ground for her sisters from kindergarten, to art lessons right on up to high school. Her questions are Socratic and her advice more mature than her eighteen years.

A thousand congratulations to all the graduates and may all of you get everything you hope for. It is not the most prestigious university, the most money, the best job nor a good looking marital partner that will make you blissful. The only contentment there is in this world is reveling in one’s relationship with Allah. All else is ephemeral.

“For without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction” (Qur’an 13:28) This is not a relationship that happens to you just because you sit there and will it. You have to work for it. Plant the seed of the relationship with God-cognizance, and then nurture it with remembrance, also called dhikr like subhan Allah, alhamdolillah or Allaho Akbar. Soon your relationship will bloom and with time become as strong as a mighty oak.

The relationship with Allah gives you inner peace and also is an amazing source of comfort, like a haven, like coming home.

As you go forth into the world remember that the secret of satisfaction is within your heart and the Greatest Comfort closer to you than your jugular vein. (Qur’an 50:16)

To know Him is to be struck

To be with Him bliss